Mechanical photographic bath



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. FORD.

MECHANICAL PHOTOGRAPHIG BATH.

' No. 385,607. V Patented July 3, 1888.

.tturney,

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. H. FORD.

MEGHANIOAL PHQTOGRAPHIG BATH. No. 385,607. Patented July 3, 1888.

u. PETERS, Fholo-Lrlnogmphon Wmhing'om n. c.

' cle near the bottom thereof.

STATES NI'TED PATENT tries.

HARRY FORD, OF LYNDON, KANSAS.

PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 385,607, dated July 3,1888.

Application filed March To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, HARRY FORD, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Lyndon, in the county of Osage and State of Kansas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in MechanicalPhotographic Baths; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exaetdescription of the invention,such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters orfigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecitication.

My invention relates to an apparatus for washing photographic prints torender them free from chemicals prior to mounting, the object being toprovide a receptacle within which the photographic prints are placed forwashing, so that they can be automatically washed by changing the waterin the receptacle as frequently as desired, and after the last washingthe water will be automatically cut off to hold the tray or receptaclefilled.

My invention consists, broadly, in the construction and combination ofthe parts to attain the above ends, as will be hereinafter fully setforth.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my inventiqp, Figure l isa perspective view. Fig. 2 is a side view; Fig. 3, a plan view, and Fig.4 a sectional view on line a: a" of Fig. Fig. 5 is a detail view in rearelevation of the ratchetdisk, showing the pawl and limitingpins thereofmounted on said disk. I

A refers to areceptacle or tray in which the photographic prints areplaced when it is desired to wash them subsequent to fixing, to re movethe chemicals therefrom prior to mounting. This tray may be of anyordinary construction. To one side or end thereof is secured a pipe, B,which leads into the reeepta- This pipe is provided at a suitable pointwith a valve or stopcock, b, and the upper end thereof has a liexiblcpipe which connects with a water-supply. The upper end of this pipe B isshown secured to the side of the receptacle by an ordinary staple.

The turning-valve of the stop-cock b has rigidly secured at its outerend aslotted arm O, and rear of said slotted arm is secured a bar, 0,which is bent to engage with the inner end of the valve. to which it isrigidly secured;

and this arm 0, adjacent to the valve-stem, has a projection, c, towhich a pivoted pawl, D, is secured. The slotted arm 0 and bar 0 arerigidly connected to each other, and when swung operate the valve toopen or close the same, the swing movement being limited by pins a and aprojecting from the tray.

To the side of the tray A, below the upper edge and at a suitabledistance from the pipe B, is rigidly secured an outwardly-projectingbracket, E, which has perforated side lugs for the reception of apivoted pin for securing thereto a latch-bar, F, the outer edge of whichis notched atf for engagement with the bar 0 when it is raised on a linetherewith. The bar F tapers toward its lower end, as shown, to which ispivoted a pawl, G, adapted to fold against the inner straight edge ofthe latch-bar and swing downwardly to engage with the side of the traywhen the latch-bar is thrown out, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Thedownward movement of the pawl G islimited by a staple, g, which issecured on a vertical line therewith near the lower edge of the tray.

The pawl G is struck up of a piece of sheet metahthe sides thereof beingturned. to lie over the latch-bar. The upper edge of the latchbar abovethe notchf and about on aline with the pivot-pin is provided with aprojecting catch, g, withwhieh a pin attached to a ratchetwheel engages.

H refers to a ratchet-disk suitably journaled to the side of the tray A,the ratchet teeth 11 thereof being numbered, as shown, and with theseratchet-teeth the pawl D engages to advance the disk one tooth everytime the valve is operated. To the face of this disk is secured a pin,2, which engages with the catch y" when the disk has been movedsufficiently to bring them in contact with each other, this contacttaking place when the pawl D engages with the ratchettooth adjacent tothe one indicated by the numeral 1.

To the rear side of the disk H is pivoted a pawl, I, which has a bentend to engage with the ratchetteeth on the sector K. The movement ofthis pivoted pawl is limited by pins It It, so that it will not swingexcessively on its pivot when the ratchet-disk H is turned. The

ratchet-disk is held at a suitable distance from the tray by a collar,between which and the disk is placed a spring-washer.

To the lower edge of the tray is secured a bearing for anoutwardly-prejecting pin, L, which carries adjacent to the tray acollar, M, to which is rigidly secured the seetorK,providcd on one edgewith ratchet-teeth m, with which the pawl I, carried by theratchet-disk, en gages.

At a suitable angle with the sector K pro jects an arm, K, which is alsorigidly secured to the collar M, its outer end being formed into a hookfor receiving the outer end of the dischargespout.

The discharge-pipe P is connected by a flexible section, P, with anelbow, p, which enters the bottom of the tray, said elbow being so located that the lower edge of the sector K will engage therewith when itis fully depressed. The sector K and arm K, being both rigidly securedto the same pivoted collar M, will of course move in unison. Theoutwardly-pro jecting pin L also secures pivotally in place thewater-tank O, which is sector-shaped and has an opening in its upperside, into which the water from the pipe P will be discharged. Thebottom of this tank is provided with an outlet, 0, above which a screenis placed.

This dischargeopening is quite small when compared with the capacity ofthe pipe P.

To one side of the tank 0 is rigidly secured an arm, R, at the outer endof which is formed a socket, R, which may be provided with a set-screw,1'; or the arm may be formed with notches to engage with a projection onthe socket. \Vithin the socketslides a bar, S,earrying at one end aweight, NV, having a pin with an anti-friction roller thereon, whichengages With a slot in the arm 0.

The capacity of the water-pipe B may be greater than the capacity of thedischargepipe, and the opening 0 in the tank is less than the diameterof the pipe P.

If desired, the tray may be provided with an overflow-opening near itsupper edge.

In practice it is intended that the edge of the receptacle A be placedover a sink and the pipe B connected by a flexible tube to thewatersupply.

One mode of operating my invention is as follows: The disk-wheel i1 isturned by hand until the pawl D engages with the desired ratchet-toothon the periphery of the wheel. For example, if it is desired to give aprint six baths, the pawl will be placed in the ratchet-tooth indicatedby the numeral 6. Thetank O and slotted arm 0 are then placed in theposition shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, which will bring the otherparts in proper position, the cock 0 being turned to admit water to thetray. When the water fills the tray to the level of the end of thedischarge-pipe P, it will flow through the same into the tank 0, and asthe water will run out of said tank very slowly the weight thereof willsoon 0verbalance the weight \V, and the tank drop, this movement raisingthe weight W, which will carry with it the slotted arm 0, and at thesame time retract the pawl D to engage with the next ratchet-tooth onthe disk H. \Vhen the arm 0 is raised to a horizontal position, thewater will be cut off and the waterin the tray A will gradually run outtill empty,after which the water in the tank 0 will run out of theopening therein slowly, and the next movement will be when said tank isemptied and counterbalanced by the weight WV, which will open the valveb and advance theratchet-disk one tooth. This operation is carried onsuccessively until the prints are given the desired number of baths.

It will be observed that the pawl I, carried by the disk H, iscontinuously moved toward the sector K. and when the final washing hasbeen given, this paw]. will engage with one of the teeth on the sectorand hold the same down and the arm K elevated. The weight of the waterinthe tank 0 willthen elevate the arm Gandbar O,which,in their upwardmovement,willengage with the notch f in the latch bar to throw thelowerend thereof outwardly, and cause the pawl g to fall and hold it in anoutward position, as shown in Fig. 4, thereby holding the parts in theposition shown in Fig. l of the drawings, so that the receptacle A willbe full of water. The pin '6 upon the ratchetdisk engages with theoutwardly-projecting stud or catch 9 on the latch-bar to move saidlatch-bar slightly outward simultaneously with the engagement of thepawl J with the sector K.

When it is desired to arrange the parts of the hereinbeforedescribeddevice so that the discharge-pipe P will be at different heights toregulate the depth of waterin the receptacle A, the weight- WV, carriedby the bar S, is moved out of the socket R and secured by the set-screw.By adjusting the weight in the socket the movement of the tank and theparts attached thereto and the sector are varied.

The arm K rests upon the t-ank and is moved thereby until it is held ina raised position by the engagement of the pawl carried by the disk Hwith the sector.

I do not wish to limit myself to the precise construction or form of theparts illustrated, and I reserve the right to modify my invention withinthe spirit and scope of the claims.

The device may be used not only for washing photographic prints, but forother purposes where it is desired thatsuccessive baths of clean watermay be given for any purposes.

I claim 1.. In a mechanical photographic bath, the combination,substantially as set forth, of a water-receptacle having a valvedsupplypipe attached thereto, a tank pivoted to the waterreceptaclehaving a weighted arm, and a slot ted arm in. connection with the valveof the supply-pipe and operated by the weighted arm of the pivoted tankto alternately open and close the supplyvalve, substantially asdescribed.

IIO

2. In combination with a receptacle or tank having inlet and dischargeopenings, the inlet-opening provided with a valve, a slotted armattached to said valve, a counterpoisetank having a weighted arm withaprojection which engages with a slotted valve operating arm, thedischargepipe having a movablcsection, and means for automatically andsuccessively supplying the receptacle and discharging the contentsthereof.

3. In combination with a receptacle, an inletpipe provided with aturning-valve, the slotted arm for operating the same, the coun'terpoisetank having a projection which en-- gages with a valveoperatingarm, the discharge-pipe connecting the receptacle to the tank, and meansfor holding the dischargepipe elevated when the tank is depressed andthe supply-pipe closed, substantially as described.

i. In a mechanical photographic bath, a re ccptacle for the printsprovided with a valved inlet-pipe and a movable dischargepipe, the tankpivotally attached to the receptacle and provided with a weighted armwhich engages with the valve-operating mechanism,the parts being soorganized that the valve is successively opened and closed and the waterin the receptacle changed, for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination of a receptacle, A, having a tank with adischarge-opening, a dischargepipc communicating with the receptaclc andtank,and a weight with a projecting pin secured to said tank to engagewith a slotted arm secured to the valve-stem, substantially asdescribed.

6. The combination of the receptacle A,

- having the valved supply-pipe, an arm carried by the valve, adischarge-pipe having a flexible sectiou,and apivotcd tank with a smalldischarge-opening having a projecting arm which carries an adjustableweighted arm, whereby the water is automatically let in and out of thereceptacle and different levels main tained within the receptacle,substantially as described.

7. In combination with the receptacle A, a supply-pipe having a valvewith a slotted operatingarm, a movable discharge-pipe, a pivoted tankhaving a weighted arm with a projecting pin which engages with thevalve-op erati n g bar, and a latch-bar, F, with a pawl, the parts beingso organized that the latch'bar and pawl will hold the valve closedafter the tank has been filled, substantially as described.

8. In combination with a receptacle, A, and valved inlet-pipe B, thevalve thereof having a slotted arm, 0, and a projecting pin upon which apawl, D, is pivoted, a, ratchet-disk,

H, carrying a pawl, I, a sector, K, with ratchetteeth with which thepawl I is adapted to engage, said sector having an arm, K, rigidlyattached thereto, a discharge-pipe carried by said arm, and a pivotedtank, 0, having a weight-carrying arm, said weight engaging with a slotin the arm 0, whereby the valve is operated and the ratchet-diskadvanced automatically by the counter-balance of the tank 0,substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus for washing photographic prints, the combination of avalved supplypipe having a slot-ted operating-arm and a pawl which isalternately advanced and re tracted, the rotary disk carrying agravitypawl and an operating-pin, t, a sector with ratchet-tecth havinga pipesnpporting bar, K, a weighted tank which automatically operatesthe valve, and a latch-bar with a pivoted pawl for holding the valveclosed, with which said pin 1' engages, substantially as described.

10. The combination of the valved inletpipe B, the valve of which isprovided with a slotted arm, a bar in rear of said slotted arm, rigidlyattached thereto and to the opposite end of the valve-stem, a pivotedpawl, D, carried by the inwardly-projecting end of the bar 0, aratchet-disk, H, carrying a bolt, J, and projecting pin 2', a sectorhaving ratchet-teeth with which the pawl J engages, and the arm K, withan outwardly-proj ecting end forming a support for the discharge-pipe, apivoted latch-bar having a pawl, G, notch f, and proi ecting catch 9,the pivoted tank having a discharge-opening, and an arm with a socketfor adjustably securing thereto a weighted bar, said weighted bar havinga projecting pin for engagement with the slot of the arm 0, the partsbeing organized substantially as described.

11. In combination with the pipe B, having a valve, b, with a slottedarm for operating said valve, pins to and a for limiting the move mentof said arm, a pivoted latch, F, having a swinging pawl, G, the downwardmovement of which is limited by a staple, g, and a notch or catch, f,with which the member 0 of the slotted arm engages to swing saidlatch-bar outwardly, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In a mechanical photographic bath, the combination, with aratchet-disk, H, having a pawl, I, with limiting stop-pins k, of apivoted sector having ratchet-teeth adapted to be engaged by said pawl,and having rigidly attached thereto a pipe-carrying arm which alsoengages with the upper edge of the pivoted water-tank, substantially asdescribed.

13. In a mechanical photographic bath, the combination, substantially asset forth, of a water-receptacle having a valved supply-pipe, a tankpivoted thereto having an adjustable counterpoise-weight, a slotted armconnected to the supply-valve and operated by the counterpoise-weight,the serrated sector operated by the pivoted tank, the ratchetwheelhaving the pawl on its inner side, and the arm and stops for controllingthe movement of said ratchet-wheel.

14. In a mechanical photographic bath, the combination, with awater-receptacle having a valved supply-pipe and a pivotedcounterpoise-tank in connection with the supplyvalve, of a serratedsector and a ratchct-wheel IIO carrying a pawl and having suitable stopsfor limiting the movement thereof, substantially as described. I

ing a controlling-arm and stops, substantially IO as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 15. In a mechanicalphotographic bath, the presence of two Witnesses. combination with aWater-receptacle having a valved supply-pipe and a pivotedcounterpoise-tank in connection with the supply- Vitnesses: valve, of aratchet-wheel operated by the J. W. SEEVER, movement of saideounterpoisetank and hav- D. M. COOPER.

HARRY FORD.

